Jade

Date: 11-12, 14-16 Nov 04 @Ho Chi Min-RiverSide Hotel(3 stars)

13-14 Nov 04 @Da Lat-Novotel Hotel (5 stars)

Ho Chi Minh (Former Saigon)

Ho Chi Min-Saigon used to be under French Colonial. Most of the places are built according to french style. (HCM airport: Tan Son Nhat)

If you were to asked me if Saigon is a good place, I would say No.

I don’t really like Saigon, especially when I have a bad encountered with the people there.

There was one night when we walked past food stalls stationed along the road. We decided to rest our weary legs by having some local drinks. When our drinks are served, I asked how much. The stupid, idiotic, dirty OLD HAGGARD, full of wrinkle Vietnames old woman started to shout at us, insisting us to pay S$3 for a soft drink. I know that she is trying to cheat our money. So, I asked the table opposite us, also Vietnames. They knew that the stupid OLD HAGGARD woman is cheating on us, but they just keep quiet and gives a cunning smile! I am so angry that why these VIETNAMESE are of one kind.

Another bad experience with the VIETNEMESE is at Da Lat’s RESTAURANT!!!

The moment when we were there, the waiter seems friendly, chatty and humourous. He then comment that I look "pretty" (But he has a motive for saying that). After the dinner, we asked for the bill and found that it seems a bit expensive than expected. So, we checked on the items. We found that the waiter add in extra charge for the fruits that was on the house. And he overcalculated the total cost also. We told him and he quickly pretend he do not know and make the amendment. When we pay for the final bill, he still got the cheek to ask us for TIPS!!! This is so ridiculous. It is as good as a day light extortion!!! But we give him some since we don’t want to make things difficult. Upon taking the money, he sneekly took the money and put into his pocket, so as not to let the cashier or other waitress see it.

However, their dishonesty did not spoilt our trip as they are not worth for us to get angry. But I would definitely be wary of VIETNEMESE in future.

Da Lat

This is the Catholic church where we spend sometimes, admiring, exploring and praying.

Date: 13-15 May Kuta Beach (Kuta Beach Club Hotel), 15-17 May Nusa Dua Beach (Hilton Hotel)

Bali is a place where I never used to be looking forward to. But after this trip, it leaves behind some memories and was glad that I have made this trip. 

Kuta Beach - Kuta Beach Club Resort

Kuta Beach Club is an average hotel. It is small but yet reflects the olden days of a small wooden villa. Though the hotel is normal but we enjoy our days there as most of the time we are out at the Beach, shopping and eating.

Kuta Beach is blessed as it is with a lovely sweep of golden sand (Dark grey), crashing surf and spectacular sunsets. It is sparse, wide like an open field. The colour of the sea is so blue and green … The atmosphere gives us a friendly, relaxed and cheerful feeling.

Nusa Dua Beach - Hilton Hotel

We are on our 2nd journey from Kuta Beach to Nusa Dua Beach. We hop to a taxi along the side of the road. We decided to hire the driver for our next day trip to Jumaran- Ritz Carlton Hotel to capture the scenic view as claimed via Internet, then to Jumbaran Seafood Restaurants and to Ubud (Northern) to see the historic. The driver is an honest Indonesian Man (Malay). We are lucky to met him.

Nusa Dua Beach is a quiet place. It is a good place to relaxed. Away from the city life. There is nothing much to do except to lied on the Beach chairs, enjoy the sea breeze and sun taning. At night time, though it is very windy, the sea appears to be calm and peaceful.  It gives me the comfort, peace of surrounding where everyone seems to be drifted away from the busy, city life. Jimbaran - Ritz Carlton Hotel: We only managed to reach the top when it is about to sun set. But I am amazed by the magnificent view. It reflects the INFINITY POOL. We stay there for about 15 mins before we make our way to the Jimbaran Seafood Restaurant.

We are back to Hilton Hotel at around 11pm. It is a tiring day for us but was fruitful. I deeply enjoy this trip…

Date: 14-16 Apr-Koh Lanta (Twin Lotus Resort), 16-17 Apr-Ao Nang (La Playa Resort).

Krabi consists of a number of beaches, for this case, the 2 beaches that I will be going are Koh Lanta (Twin Lotus Resort - 5 stars) and Ao Nang Beach (La Playa Resort - 4 star).

Departure from Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta:

Four of us (Anton - Jade, Eugene - Vivien) took a early flight (Tiger Airways) at 645am, leave SGP & reach Krabi Airport (845am).  We checked out of the Krabi aiport and proceed our Journey to Koh Lanta with the driver from Twin Lotus Resort.

Initially, I thought that the journey will be tiring cos of the following changing as below:

• From Krabi Airport à  Hou-Hin pier (1hr by Van) à  Klong Mark pier (abt 40 mins by Ferry) à Langsord pier (abt 20 mins by Van) à Saladan pier (abt 25 mins by Ferry) à Twin Lotus Resort (abt 10 mins by Van).

However, to our surprised, the duration was pretty fast and hassel free.Took only 2 hrs 30 mins.

Twin Lotus Resort & Spa Lanta, Krabi

The resort oversees the beach - so called the "Infinity Pool". It is quiet, peaceful and relaxing. We have the whole of the pool most of the time as the resort is so much less crowded. What makes it best is that we have got ourselves a very good catch for the packages. Baht 7,999 -3 Days 2 Nights, include daily AMB, 1 Dinner, Hotel transfer, Free use of sports facilities, 30 mins Spa treatment (Thanks to my Anton!)

The view is wonderful during the night. It is really magnificent view. But of course, with my professional photo-taking skill! :p

My stay at Twin Lotus is wonderful except for a minor bad experience.

****** I got stung by DAMN Jellyfish.

So angry, worried & frightened as I didnt know what has attacked me. It was after canoning with Anton, we just walked and enjoy the deep blue sea. Out of sudden, I got a sharp, pain, tinkling, burning sensation at my legs, feet, toes …. In actual fact, I didnt really know which part of my legs, feet, toes were attacked. I quickly came offshore and the next moment, the tickling pain becomes greater. I jumped into the infinity pool, hopping the water can wash away the burning sensation.

Then from Anton, I came to know that the "Bump-stung Marks" appear on my toes and feets are an indication of Jellyfish’s stung. It appears as a full straight rows of circle line … It looks horrible. I use my fingernails to press it hard, hoping the bumps will go away, which it really does. It ease the burning sensation and after few hrs later I am ok. Such a relieved as I was afraid that something might have happened. Furthermore, I am on a holiday trip, it will be troublesome for everyone if something bad happen…..

ANd Now, I know what is the cure for JellyFish’s stung. Use Vinegar !!! But for some extreme cases whereby the jellyfish is poisonous, it will caused a deadly effect on a person.

So my advise is, always be careful when you are out in the BIG , DEEP SEA.

Departure from Koh Lanta Beach to Ao Nang Beach:

Again, we have to go through the same route to go back to Krabi airport then to Ao Nang Beach. Ao Nang is only 30 mins away from the airport. However, the driver took us to Krabi town, gives some tips and we catch the "Bus" - similar of a lorry to reach our destination - La Playa Resort (Rate: S$79i nett per night, include AMF).